Monday, November 15, 2010

Linen Skirt


Pattern: Ingrid by Trudy Van Stralen
size medium

Yarn: Louet Euroflax Sport (100% wet-spun linen)
Black - approx 4.5 skeins

Needle: US 2 for lace
US 4 for body

Knitting with linen is all about delayed gratification.  The texture can be quite rough on the fingers and there is absolutely no give.  It helps to knit at a tight gauge and have other projects to serve as breaks - maybe a nice squishy merino scarf.  But for skirts, linen provides such a beautiful drape that in the end, it's well worth it.



I made plenty of modifications.  My practice swatch of the lace ruffle was way too loose at the suggested gauge.  So I went down a few needle sizes until I was happy with how it looked.  Since I was knitting a size medium for the body, I cast on for a size large in the hem. 



The original pattern calls for an asymmetrical hem which I switched to a mermaid hem (a wee bit longer in the back).  I did this by changing the placement of the short rows but had I thought ahead, I would have changed the repeats of the lace hem so that the front of the hem is perfectly straight.  Instead it dips down a bit in the front where the asymmetry is supposed to be.  Not that noticeable so I didn't fret too much about it.


A little bit longer over my right knee.  Bennan assures me that he didn't notice anything until I pointed it out to him.  Good dog.


The one down side about this skirt is that it does require a slip.  Boo.  For me, linen's main asset is its superior breathability.  Kind of defeats the purpose if I have to wear a nylon slip underneath it.

Maybe you remember there being some drama about the casting on of this skirt.  Can you find the twisted cast on?

3 comments:

  1. these appear to be very well knit items. I don't know that much about knitting, but I do know a lot about women and their bodies, and whoever you have doing your modeling is looking very good. Hot. Downright.

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  2. Seriously, did you get calf implants?

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  3. Seriously, that is my body double and yes, she did get calf implants for this particular assignment.

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